South Africans to enjoy 2 May as public holiday

Government has confirmed that workers across the country can enjoy 2 May as a public holiday. In terms of the law, employees are entitled to a set amount of public holidays each year, but because Human Rights Day falls on the same day as Good Friday this year they miss out on a holiday.

Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko said to compensate for this, Cabinet has endorsed the proposal by trade unions to declare 2 May a public holiday.

The decision was taken during Cabinet's meeting on Wednesday.

This will mean South Africans will have three long weekends in a short space of time as 2 May falls on a Friday.

Freedom Day will be held on Monday, 27 April.

The trade union federations Cosatu and Fedusa earlier called on President Thabo Mbeki to declare this Thursday a public holiday because Human Rights Day and Good Friday both fall on the same day.

Worker's Day is held each year to commemorate the contribution made by workers to society.

Human Rights Day remembers and honours those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.

During the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960, 69 people were killed by apartheid security forces.

The President will shortly publish a proclamation in the Government Gazette formally declaring 2 May 2008 as a public holiday.

This Proclamation will be issued in terms of the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. - BuaNews